A Superior Court judge in Connecticut has ruled that a man who badly injured his leg on a stair climber exercise machine at a Planet Fitness cannot bring a product liability action against the fitness club chain.
In a ruling of first impression, New London Superior Court Judge Robert Vacchelli found that a health club did not qualify as a “product seller” under the Connecticut Product Liability Act. The plaintiff still has negligence claims pending against Planet Fitness.
“The relationship alleged between a health club and its member in such a circumstance is for provision of services with a license to use certain equipment and not that of a sale, lease or bailment of such equipment,” wrote Vacchelli. “In this light, the plaintiff’s complaint does not contain allegations of fact necessary to maintain a cause of action under the Connecticut Product Liability Act.”
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